15 April 2009

Children's Ministries commences coaching

Manukau, New Zealand
Adele Nash

The Seventh-day Adventist Church in the New Zealand Pacific region has initiated a coaching program for individual churches, aimed at improving their ability to connect with children in their congregations through a stronger integration of the resources provided by the Children's Ministries department.

Kylie Ward, director of Children's Ministries for New Zealand Pacific region, says, "The idea is that often the way we do children's ministry is to make resources and throw them at churches like confetti. We needed a bridge to bring the resources to local churches from the regional office."

Coaching commenced in February in North New Zealand. "North New Zealand has been running a ‘building healthy churches' approach and working on targeting churches to help them become what they need to be," explains Ms Ward.

In discussions with president of the Adventist Church in North New Zealand, Pastor Eddie Tupai, three churches were chosen to trial the coaching sessions. These sessions focus on connecting churches with resources specific to their needs. "We want to make sure we're really scratching where it's itching for local churches," says Ms Ward.

"Rather than just running a regional training workshop for everyone once a year, I'll meet with churches and work to determine what will suit them best in terms of resources or further training," she adds.

"This way, it can be more tailor made than generic. The important thing is that we're making a connection with churches."

To date, two churches have had the sessions-Mosaic in Palmerston North and Powerhouse in Wellington. Later in the year, a church in Auckland will host a coaching session. Ms Ward will visit the churches two to three times per year. Ms Ward meets with the leadership teams of the churches to examine how children fit in, and how they are supported and included.

"I can then make recommendations for how they can make improvements, based on a full understanding of their work," says Ms Ward.

According to Ms Ward, the best way to help children grow into adults with a positive relationship with God is to be a good example, talk to children, include them in church programs and attend training that teaches people how to build the faith of children.

"So far, the churches have been really positive, even though we're currently doing it on a shoestring budget and a prayer!" Ms Ward says. "One of the ladies said it ave her church a sense there was support for them and a sense of direction. The goal is to help churches grow, not just by providing generic training but by getting in there with them and working out what they need. Once a church has received the training, they can touch base with their coach throughout the year. I may not do all the training but I can point them toward people who can help them further, and get experts in to assist them if and when necessary."

It is hoped the interaction between churches and the Children's Ministries department will assist the department in developing resources in the future. "It's so easy to do things at the administrative level," says Ms Ward, "But is it relevant and meeting the needs of people in churches? If we spend time with them and work out what will help people the most, it's beneficial to both us and them."

Although the initiative is still in its early stages, it is hoped the coaching program will be expanded next year. "It will be interesting to see how it's implemented in individual churches," says Ms Ward. "Hopefully, it will be beneficial in the long run. The goal is to have a team of coaches across New Zealand if this works well but that's just a dream at this stage."

Find out more about Children's ministries in the New Zealand Pacific region.

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